TOREROS FIND QB IN SENIOR SERGENT
The University of San Diego’s football team concluded spring practice on Saturday. After 12 workouts, here are three takeaways:
A Sergent at QB
The Toreros are coming off a 5-5 season, the first non-winning record since 2010. The program that once dominated the Pioneer Football League hasn’t won the league title outright since 2019.
The biggest problem offensively has been lack of production at quarterback. USD must break in a new QB come September. And while coach Dale Lindsey isn’t ready to name his starting passer, barring injury it will be redshirt senior Grant Sergent.
“Grant was head and shoulders above everyone else,” said offensive coordinator Matt Aponte.
Sergent, who played at Palma High School in Salinas, impressed the coaching staff with two traits: he protected the ball, throwing just one interception in 12 practices, and avoided the pass rush.
“I stand behind the huddle and by god, it’s like a thundering herd of cattle coming after you,” said Lindsey.
At 6 feet 2, 212 pounds with a live arm, Sergent is blessed with physical tools. What he lacks is experience. In four seasons at USD he has attempted just three passes, all last season. He
completed all three, one for a touchdown.
The question mark is who emerges as the backup. Junior Tanner Ellison is the leading candidate but Dominic Nankil, who led Mater Dei Catholic to a second state championship last December, made a favorable first impression.
“Dominic flashed a little bit,” said Aponte.
The problem is that the 6-2 Nankil is pencil thin, weighing, according to Aponte, 155 pounds. The Toreros are hoping to redshirt Nankil, allowing him to physically mature.
RB by committee/RPO
Logan Gingg and Isaiah Smith rushed for a combined 216 yards last season. They figure to split the running back duties
come fall. Sophomore James Scott should get some carries, too.
Of Scott, Aponte said: “He ran angry.”
Aponte, a former Iowa assistant, will be in his first season as offensive coordinator. He takes over for Cory White, who left to coach at Northern Illinois.
USD’s offense features a lot of multiple sets and motion that can put mental stress on a defense. While keeping those components, Aponte plans to add run-pass option (RPO) schemes to enhance the ground game.
That could be risky, though, if a reliable backup quarterback doesn’t emerge.
Re-al Mitchell, who led USD with 433 yards rushing last season, is back. The Toreros used
Mitchell in the slot, at running back and quarterback. He compiled 796 yards in total offense and nine touchdowns.
Mitchell, who played at Iowa State and Temple, exhibits rare athleticism.
“He could try to go play baseball and be good at it,” said Aponte. “We could move him to defense if we needed to and he’d excel at it.”
The plan is to get Mitchell the ball in space, primarily in the slot.
“The more times he touches the ball during a game,” said Aponte, “the better chance we have of winning.”
Replacing Kapapa
The Toreros return eight defensive starters but there’s a big hole to fill at defensive end.
Muhindo Kapapa was the PFL’s defensive player of the year and a second-team All-American.
The leading candidate to replace him is Serra High School product Malachi Cooper (6-4, 260).
“He had a real good camp,” said defensive coordinator
Bobby Jay.
Lindsey said Cooper “has all the tools, maybe more tools than Kapapa.”
“What he has yet to do is put an amount of desire with those tools and get production,” Lindsey said. “He has to choose if he wants to be a big-time player or a schmo with a lot of talent who hasn’t used it.”